Singletary speaks: He hired Raye because of leadership, toughness, physicality

I listened in to Mike Singletary’s portion of the 49ers conference call to announce the hiring of Jimmy Raye as offensive coordinator.

Asked no questions, since that was all capably handled by the beats and Annie K. Plus, Singletary didn’t stay on the phone long, though by the amount of words on my LIMITED transcription, he did say a lot.

Highlights before the partial transcription…

* Singletary didn’t want to label Scott Linehan’s decision as a “rejection” of Singletary and the 49ers, but the more Singletary talked, the more obvious it was that Linehan didn’t want to work under the rules and regulations that Singletary was imposing on the OC spot.

(I wish I’d asked one thing: Can he explain the Dan Reeves episode?)

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* That’s fair. That’s Singletary’s right as head coach. But if this thing gets stuck in the mud, this will be remembered.

* Singletary even sort of allowed that a few other guys might’ve been scared off by his determination to be basic and physical, but said, hey, he liked some of the passing stuff that Mike Martz did last year. Oh well.

* He repeatedly said that he liked Raye because he wanted leadership on that side of the ball (which he specifically mentioned when asked why he picked Raye over Hue Jackson) and because Raye liked tough, physical football.

That all pretty much fits what we’d heard about the difficulties of this search. This is Singletary’s offense. He didn’t want a system, he didn’t want a brainiac. He didn’t want a fancy scheme.

He got his guy. Now we’ll see how it plays out.

—MIKE SINGLETARY CONF CALL, partial transcript/

-Question: Did you want to return to the Norv Turner style of 2006?

-SINGLETARY: In all honesty, even though 2006 was a great year for our offensive side of the ball, the most important thing I waned to do in this process was really find that person with the leadership, preparation and the vision to take us forward.

-Q: Why Raye, who was your eighth interview?

-SINGLETARY: I think first and foremost the philosophy. When I sat down and listened to what he had to say in terms of what his approach was and his determination bhind it. He talked about the physicality the offense has to have. He talked about the toughness both mentally and physically that the offense has to have. That to me was something we were really excited about.

-Q: Took a month, was this longer and tougher than you expected?

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-SINGLETARY: First of all, it certainly took longer than we would’ve liked it to. But I think sometimes good things come to those who wait.

The thing that I did not want to do is go ahead and make a knee-jerk decision and try and select someone before we thought we had our guy. So this process to me went exactly the way it needed it to go except for it went a little longer while than I wanted it to.

-Q: You had Hue Jackson in for two interviews, same as Scott Linehan, and yet you didn’t offer to Jackson and offered it to Raye. Can you explain why Raye over Jackson?

-SINGLETARY: I understand exactly what you’re saying… The second interview is sort of maybe revealing in that maybe you’re going to hire the guy.

With Hue Jackson, he was very intriguing from the standpoint of what Baltimore had done this year… I think it just came down to that leadership that we know we need on that side of the ball. The preparation and the vision. And I said before, that philosophy.

When I sat down and talked with Jimmy Raye, (he spoke about) the physicality, the toughness and the discipline. And it’s not just saying that. I think everyone says that. But it’s the conviction that you say it that you know that’s the guy I’m looking for and I’m going to go with that.

-Q: There was a report that you had your current assistants vote and they wanted Raye, which sealed it for him. Was it that vote that got him the job?

-SINGLETARY: Not at all. The thing that I wanted to do is make sure, because we have a staff that I think is pretty special, which is evident in why I kept ‘em. The guys that we have in that offensive room are, I think, outstanding.

So for me, it was very important for them to get a feel for who it was. Not just me sitting down and talking to the possible candidates.

I did not ask them to select (the OC). I asked them to give me your thoughts and give me their thoughts—can you work with these people?

(Singletary said the response was all positive about Raye.)

As far as making that decision, I was going to make that decision. But I just wanted to make sure they can take some ownership as well.

-Q: Concerned at all that Raye’s offenses have not usually been highly rated?

-SINGLETARY: Not at all. When you sit down and begin to look around the league, you have some names that are highly sought after names or whatever. That to me alone does not determine whether you’re going to have a successful offense.

The most important thing… what I think about constantly is that leadership and that preparation and that vision. And I think our team and what the whole vision brings and what we need…I just feel really good about Jimmy Raye being that guy to come and do that.

-Q: What happened with Linehan? Are you concerned that Raye is perceived as someone you had to settle on after Linehan turned you down?

-SINGLETARY: No, there’s not a concern at all. I think with Scott Linehan, and I’m not going to touch on that too much because I think there’s a misconceptipn about me offering and him turning it down. I think the most important thing I really appreciate what Scott Linehan did is he was honest…

(Singletary said he outlined what he wanted to see out of 49ers offense with whoever was coordinating.)

I really just asked Scott Linehan very basically and very straightforward, “Can you do these things? These are the things I’m looking for when you get here.”

(Singletary said Linehan thought about it for a few days, and said…)

“I don’t think I can do that. So I’m going to have to back away.”

To me it’s not really a rejection and I can’t go into all the other reasons, that’s not important. The most important thing is that he was big enough to say I’m not going to accept that I’m not going to do that and I’m not sure I can give you what you need.

I never looked at it as a rejection.

-Q: So is it possible that, given that overall philosophy, some coordinator candidates didn’t want to come work for you?

-SINGLETARY: You know what, I really don’t know. But I think I made it very clear in every interview we had that some of the things that we did last year I felt good about. It’s just bringing the other side to that.

Some of the things that Mike Martz did last year I felt very good about. Some of the passing game I felt very good about. I don’t really think there was a misconception anywhere.

I just wanted to make sure that whoever it was came in and really understood the vision the 49ers were going through at this time.

-Q: So what will Jimmy Raye’s offense look like?

-SINGLETARY: When you look at the offense that we’re going to come up with, first of all… you probably have an average (coaching) experience in that room of 10 to 12, 15 years. I think the most important thing is we get in that room and sit down and look at what works. We look at our personnel, what works. And what fits the 49ers.

It’s not about someone coming in with their system. I don’t really get excited about a system. What I want is an offense that can fit the personnel we have… I don’t want a system to come as a result of just getting someone to come in and provide a system. Systems don’t work without leadership and without preparation and without that vision and the conviction towards that.

-Q: What’s your feeling about what Jimmy Raye wants to do at QB? What’s Alex Smith’s fit with that?

-SINGLETARY: I really think that in looking at Jimmy Raye and what he brings to our organization, I’m just excited about him talking about our offense from the front, being the offensive line, to the quarterback, to the running backs and really looking at how everybody plays a part in that and not just the quarterback.

For right now, I feel very good about Shaun Hill and we’ll have to see what happens with Alex Smith.

Tim Kawakami

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We all loved Coach Sing when he turned the season around and gave us all hope. He’s a leader who made tough, controversial decisions. Those decisions turned out to be the right ones so we have no reason to disbelieve in what he does now. Although we know little about him, Jimmy Raye will likely be a great hire. We just need to be patient and let Sing run this thing.

Niner

Come on Sing your not NOlan , cut the BS. If Raye was your numero uno, you coudl have hired him weeks ago, nobody in the NFL is breaking down door to get to him. You did this because the other guys who might even consider A Smith ( the forever challenged and damaged number 1 pick of Scotty) as a nfl quality qb ( lineman) rejected you and the Yorks. This is the best you can get.

Thor

Great. Next year is gonna be Nolan pt II on offense. Not a lot of passing, but a lot of 3 and outs. Get ready for a snooze fest everyone.

Edbro

The guy has been the OC for some really bad teams. He should fit in well here!

idiotsingletary

Singletary is going to tank this organization a lot worst than Nolan and McCloughan already has. This is absolutely the worst hire and a sign of MANY THINGS…It’s like the Oakland Raiders HC position over the years of all the rejections…I can assure you that this organization is going to tank…49er fans please don’t waste your $ on tickets this year…I am willing to bet ANYONE a lot of the coaches who interviewed didn’t want this position and there is a reason why…If Jimmy Raye wasn’t going to be hired I’m sure Singletary and the idiot Scot McCloughan was going to lure in some high school coach down the road.

This is a nightmare…Singletary…You should have looked at receiving this job with a lot of luck (Josh Morgans nice catch against the lowly Rams)…We all know you’re not qualified to lead a team yet…Look at the teams they beat down the stretch…it wasn’t even convincing…BORING FOOTBALL

dave silva

This has 8-8 written allll over it. Gore needs to be healthy for that to even happen and they need another back. So basically the GM will make no draft day trades, take another OLB or OL and then probably over pay someone in free agency (Jennings, Clements, Smith etc) and we can listen to MS spin it alll year long while real coaches like Gruden, shannahan and cowher are still out there.

Sign me up for tickets so I can watch smash mouth football, Shaun Hill and sit in the worst stadium on the planet. Maybe if they brought in a new scoreboard, opened up more concessions, bathrooms and installed TV’s at the concessions we wouldn’t miss any 2yrd running plays or a 4yrd drop off to a 5th round WR.

Fantastic….good work Jed!

Mike

I posted a picture of Jimmy Raye from the Jet’s web site on Maoicco’s blog and some guy commented that he looked like Yoda with a mean streak… Everything I’m hearing from Singletary about “physicality” and being “prepared” sounds identical to Charlie Weiss’ comments during his first press conference at Notre Dame. Now, after watching those “behemoths” at Navy almost beat ND two years in a row, you have to ask how that’s working out for the Irish — and if wishing will make it so in SF. I don’t see Erik Williams and Larry Allen anywhere, do you?

Tony McCoy

Being Bill Walsh, nor being Joe Montana, should be the measure of who should be a part of the Niners. I’ve been a niner fan since the 70s and I will break with the ranks on this one. We (niner fans) need to get over the past… the great ones aren’t coming back.

But if there was one I would love to see reincarnate and return it would be …. Bob McKittrick. We need a dominating offensive line if any of this is going to work. Shoot, even I can draw up a fantastic game plan in the sandlot at the local park if I had the best o-line in the business.

Tony McCoy

Ooops, meant to write “Neither being Bill Walsh, yadda yadda.” Hey Merc, can we get an edit option ovuh hear?

cesar

SING is now starting to sound like Nolan
He talked about the physicality the offense
physicality????? Hello this the NFL its all about physicality

bullship

Man the whining is bad…..Sing found a coach he wanted- and a coach that wanted to be here. I think that it is important for the niners right now to get guys on the staff that are professionals and WANT to work with/for Sing and the Niners…that is just hiring 101. The niners didnt need a ‘coach in waiting’ or a guy who was looking for a HC job- couldnt get one- and would bolt after a year.

I like the idea that Sing wanted a physical offense- that seems to be the type of players the niners have- and no one complains when teams like carolina or new york win by having a physical offense.

And Sing sounds nothing like nolan…if I was him I would’nt say anything to TK either…what is the point as he will spin it any way he feels like…the less said the better. I jus want to see results. The way the team is prepared and the way it plays are how you judge a coach..everything else is window dressing………

Kevin

He got his guy! If you were named head coach, you would want your guy. He has a vision. I trust him. The players trust him. Let is play out. It is a hell of alot better than we’ve had for the last 8 years.. Let’s bloody some noses!!!

510_Chris

Jimmy Raye? I never heard much about him but I will trust Mike Sings judgement and decision. I think he (Mike) did very well in answering those questions, maybe tried to talk around a couple but I like how he is straightforward with his vision and what he expects from coaches to players. I especially liked how he talked about a OC doesn’t need to come here and bring his own ‘system’, what a good coach will do is develop a ‘system’ to fit player personell and maximize the players potential. I can see the niners possible hitting the 10-6 mark next year…btw forget ‘zona (division rivals) go pitt!

I’m actually OK with this if Raye shows Rathman the ropes of the digital offense, then Tom takes over in a year or two.

Mike

Here’s the one question I still don’t see being asked: What if Frank Gore goes down? Then what? All you guys hoping for Whosyourmama, a RT, a NG or and a savior at QB better think about that question…because it’s unlikely Raye is going to install a fancy passing scheme to break guys wide open. Better keep your eye on what McSing does in the off-season to create a two-headed monster a RB, because it’s unlikely Frank can carry the load for 16 weeks all by himself if you want to pound and get pounded on. Think about it.

Mike Lee

All you critiques of Singletary, are probably the same ones who supported his hiring as head coach. Give MS and JR a chance. You’re all starting to sound as pathetic as Ralph Barbieri.

Mike Lee

Current free agent running back, Deuce MacAlister would be a nice acquisition, and a great compliment to Gore. I don’t think DM expects to be a starter with the injuries he has experienced.

Ceedub

I still have a bad feeling about this. No OC worth his salt wants to work for Sing and his Neanderthal vision of 1950’s football. Two yards and a cloud of dust. Rush, rush, rush, punt. Rush, rush, rush, punt. Rush, rush, rush, punt. We better get a decent QB, otherwise the defense will stack the line with 8 man fronts. God help Frank Gore. It will be a miracle if he can finish the season in one piece.

Dave

Tim, too early to say if this is a bad move or now, let’s see how Sing does with the draft and sets up the team. Don’t know about Raye, but I am willing to see what he considers physical football. I just hope it does not mean “one dimensional”.

Norm

We also look physicality and toughness!

Signed,

All NFL teams as well as other teams in organized leagues.

The Real Rathman

My system won 5 super bowl rings with the 49ers, 2 in Denver, 1 with Green Bay, 1 in Tampa Bay, 1 in Baltimore, and arguably 3 in New England. But obviously systems don’t work without leadership… right Coach Singletary.

Signed,

The West Coast Offense

Wilson

I can’t imagine that Linehan balked over the idea of having a tough running game. What I suspect is that among Singletary’s requirements was that the OC commit to staying with the team for at least a couple of years and not seek a head coaching job. THAT’s what Linehan couldn’t agree to!

GrapeGuy

Singletary sees football from a 90’s linebacker’s perspective. I get the feeling he relates to offense from this perspective as well. That is he is trying to build an offense that he would have found most challenging to play against. In many ways this is a good thing. I suspect this perspective means a physically dominating O-line, not a bad quality for the 49ers to build upon. Alone it may not get us to the top, but strong line play on both sides of the ball, certainly would be a big step in that direction. Pass protection and to a lesser degree run blocking (and pass rushing on the other side of the ball) seemed to be what we have been sorely lacking. Focusing on these areas, while we opportunistically build up our offensive skill position personnel, seems like a pretty decent plan. We have an expert in trench warfare and that’s a huge part of every football game. Let’s take advantage of that expertise to build the core strength and attitude of the team.

I gotta agree with Tony (#8) about Bob McKittrick. He deserved way more of the credit for our golden years than he ever got. I don’t think it is any accident that the dynasty broke down, when we lost him.

Norm

Coach Singletary,

You might have most fans under your spell of oratory. But I’m not fooled one bit and I see right through you!

BG

#24

Norm, you don’t know what the F….CK your talking about! I have met Mike on a few ocasions and he’s a down to earth guy. He had this team playing hard when he took over, and thats all we can ask for. The players support him as wel. I love fans who think they know whats going on behind the scenes.

Greg

Is there any chance Singletary asked the rest of his staff for their thoughts because he had no idea what to do?

Norm

Example: BG

I rest my case!

Singletary: Can be another Jones town with this type of following, or Chuck Manson type of influence?

niner

my prediction on next season ( since someone started) 7-8 wins as well. Why? because we can hang with lousy teams and win by 3 pts or whatever in the end. On the other hand we will be blown out by teams early, because we don’t have a good D let alone a great D and we actually need a ELITE D. The teams Sing is enamored with are logically the Ravens and the 85 Bears. They actually scored points and led the league in points not allowed. Once we get behind by 2 scores, Hill will have to wing it, and smith will probably fling it, into interceptions. Its a house of cards, once we get behind by more then 7 we actually help the opposing team by running it as we eat up the clock. I’VE BEEN A FAN SINCE 1968, and i hope i’m wrong, but this caveman football sure is a step backwards. SEE Bill Walsh’s philosphy re: intelligent football. ( sure would have liked to have seen Holmgren do his thing here like tuna did in Miami)